Monday, September 26, 2011

Changes all about me

Changes on high...I can see the fall colors intensifying almost hourly on the hill at the end of our street.

Fall is organizing its yearly march down the creases of the mountains and eventually down to spread color throughout the valley.

The view from our deck out back.

Looking down into the garden: summer green still hold forth, as do the warm temperatures in the air.

I will keep you up to date with autumn's arrival in my view.

This morning the robins of spring time have lingered to become the robins of autumn.

Mama Robin kept a close eye on the family's morning activities.

Cute, huh?I do so enjoy my breakfast each day just because I never know who will be joining me just outside my kitchen window.

Definitely cute.

Changes overhead of another sorthappened this weekend inside as well.Our house came with this light fixture.We really liked it, but...the plastic diffuser bottom had already yellowed when we moved in three years ago and the single 60 watt bulb did little to light up the dining area.I had resorted to using two floor lamps on either side of the sliding the glass door for additional light; they made the space a bit awkward when guest tried to get themselves seated sometimes.We had been "eye-balling" ceiling fixtures for a couple of years now.While I liked the Craftsman style light fixtures with their heavy ironwork structures, and the currently popular artistic blow glass pendants, we just never saw anything that would provide the kind of lighting we needed while not pushing the mid century modern house style into a different era visually.

As you can see the old drum shade single light fixture was a tad small for the roomWhile I was shopping for bathroom knobs I glanced at the store's light fixture department and spotted a three light fixture that kinda gave me a mental nudge.I went home with the knobs, and then made a return trip to return one of the sets I didn't use.The light fixture beckoned me again.It would probably be too big...But unless I took it home...how would I know for sure?Bernie wasn't sure if it would work either but was willing to put it up to see what we would think.

Bernie is a Journeyman electrician...therefore he can instruct apprentices in the electrical trade.Tate wanted to learn...

Bernie told Tate about the fact that there were two wires.I myself wasn't listening in.I hope Tate understood what it was all about.

After a bit the tasks at hand required a degree of concentration that didn't work well with feline snoopervision.

(I could tell Tate's feelings were hurt as Bernie told him he had to now work without his help).

A bit of work, then Bernie needed something from the garage.

Tate immediately snuck back up on the ladder looking for ways he could be helpful.

Tate: Hmm...wonder what this thing is for?

Me: Tate, you probably shouldn't mess with that.

Tate: Don't worry, I am just looking at it...

Oops....

Tate: I had better run down and get that thing back up here before Bernie gets back.

That's funny...I don't remember the ladder having steps like this when I climbed up here.

I think I am stuck....

Now what am I going to do?

I sure hope Bernie won't be mad at me...

Maybe I can do something helpful with the two wires while he is away...

Me: Tate, I think it would be better if you didn't mess with the wires either.

Tate: OK. Will you just promise to tell Bernie I didn't mean to drop the metal thing when he gets back?Me: I am sure Bernie will understand.

Tate: Oh wow! I can reach my tail from here!Me: Tate...try to focus on what is happening here OK?

Tate: If I could just figure out how to climb back down the ladder I think I could get that metal thing and put it back where it was...

Me: You are stuck again aren't you?Tate: Yeah. Ladder climbing down is a lot harder than it looks.

Tate: Oh oh. He here comes..

Bernie: What are doing up there?Tate: Um..I thought I would help you...but there was this metal thing...I didn't know what it was for...anyway, I dropped it by accident.

Tate: It is right down there on the floor. I tried to climb down and get it but I kept getting stuck...

Bernie: That's OK. I don't need that piece right now anyway. You keep an eye on it while I get back to work.

Tate: I'm keeping an eye on it...it is still there...it isn't moving or anything...nope, not moving at all...

Tate: Wait a minute...it might have moved...no...well maybe...I am getting a little dizzy from hanging down like this....

Bernie: That's OK Tate. I think it will be fine without you watching it for awhile.

Tate: Oh good...so now I can help you with the wires again?

Bernie: Just about done here...

Tate: Whew. That was a lot of work!

Tate decided it was too nerve wracking to still be involved with the project once the fixture was being place.

Me: The little one needs to be a bit higher.

Bernie: It might be difficult to make that happen now; all the excess wire is tucked up inside the ceiling fixture.

Me: Would it work if you just turned the little shade upside down so it would sit a little higher?

Bernie the Electrician humors Jill the Librarian and tries her brilliant suggestion.Doh.
That sure didn't work...

Eventually he managed to get the hanging levels all worked out.

Of course I had to set the table to see how it would look that way.We are both surprised that the fixture that looked huge right out of the box actually looked just fine once it was hung up.

As seen from the front door as you come into the house.

I really like that wood grain...

The three sixty watt bulbs put out a nice amount of light, and the natural wood grain of the shades glowed beautiful when it was dark outside.

I am amused to know that we own number 511 of a limited edition of 688 of these sets.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that mounting this set was number 511 of all things that we have done around this house since we bought it.

**************Thanks for the suggestions on the bathroom re-do problems.The ceiling will be painted to match the wall per Vee's suggestion, and the shelving will be glass per Sara's communication with me.The wall is patched, but it will take a few other steps before it will be ready for a coat of paint.We need to buy the shelves still...I will let you see the finished project when it is all pulled together at last.

When I saw it sitting on the table I was sure it was way too big! But it looks like it belongs there...very nice! Your hunch at the store was correct. It's a good thing you listened and bought the new lamp.

Now, about Tate! What an intelligent kitty who can climb ladders, even if he can't figure out how to climb back down again.

I just "met" you over on Pat's blog and was intrigued by the millinery reference so I came over. What a pleasant visit--I've laughed out loud at Tate! I shall return to check out the millinery aspect as soon as my sides stop aching!!

Oh I just love it! The light fixture is fantastic. It has great scale and presence and you were right about the smaller light looking best at a higher level. That Bernie done good. Tate? Well he had me laughing out loud. Very cute post!

Your new light fixture looks beautiful! This was one of the most entertaining cat posts I ever read ..lol..your Tate is a beauty and a very helpful apprentice...Bernie is a good sport to allow him to "help" :)

I'm Jill. I'm a librarian and milliner now living in Salt Lake City with my husband of 37 years and my three shelter adopted cats. I'm 60, was born and expected I would spent my whole life in San Diego, save for two years in Corvallis Oregon in college.
Then beginning in 1997, right after our youngest graduated from high school my husband and I began "empty nesting" on the move. We lived one year in Almenden CA (San Jose area), two years in Dallas TX and eight years on Houston TX before moving Salt Lake City in the fall of 2008.
I love it here, but counting on Heaven being my ultimate hometown! I do hope we will one day be neighbors there?
I have two adult children; a daughter in San Diego and a son (and daughter-in-law) who also live in Salt Lake City; two beloved grandsons, and parents who were born and still live in San Diego, and who read my blog every day.